The SHA and its expert groups
SHA specialists are divided into expert groups according to their know-how and skills. This allows the unit to offer targeted and effective support in priority areas of work of Switzerland’s humanitarian aid.
The specialists of the 'Coordination and Administration' expert group undertake a wide range of roles, managing Swiss and international aid programmes during and after conflicts or disasters.
Professional experience: management and coordination, finance and human resources administration.
The specialists of the 'Cash' expert group are responsible for devising and setting up cash and voucher assistance programmes (CVA) at Swiss cooperation offices or partner organisations (e.g. WFP, UNICEF, ICRC, IFRC, international organisations). Cash transfer programming (CTP) during and or in the wake of a conflict or disaster involves careful planning, and the specialist must pay close attention to the local economic conditions and target groups.
Professional experience: cash and voucher assistance, experience in social protection in cooperation with local authorities, project management.
During and or in the wake of a conflict or disaster, the 'Logistics/Support and TechCom' expert group is responsible for the acquisition, maintenance and distribution of essential items and for the functioning of telecommunications equipment. This could include tents, gas cookers, water purification products, hygiene kits and other emergency equipment. The specialists must ensure that these essential items reach the crisis-stricken areas and are installed as quickly as possible.
Professional experience: logistics, transport, transshipment, land, sea and air convoys, procurement of technical equipment and inventory management, experience at national and international levels, electrical engineering, IT
The specialists of the 'Construction' expert group are responsible for planning, giving advice and overseeing reconstruction projects (housing, schools, hospitals) in collaboration with local partners. In situations of acute crisis, they set up temporary infrastructure (tents and emergency shelters). Another of the group's activities is to train local staff, for example in the field of building safety in earthquake zones.
Professional experience: architecture, civil engineering (buildings, roads, access roads), construction management and land-use planning
The work of the specialists of the 'Water and Environmental Sanitation' expert group includes groundwater abstraction and
setting up or rehabilitating systems for the treatment, storage and distribution of water. They also deal with waste water treatment and carry out tasks to measure and test water quality. In the wake of a natural or technological disaster, they conduct evaluations and take the necessary emergency measures in collaboration with the authorities of the affected country and partner organisations. An additional priority for the group is to train local staff.
Professional experience: civil engineering, hydrogeology, chemistry, biology, physics and environment
The specialists of the 'Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction' expert group engage in preventive work to reduce disaster risk. Their work includes hazard mapping, setting up prevention mechanisms and raising risk awareness among local populations, and training specialists at the local and national level in the countries where they are active. Members of the group can also be deployed to analyse the environment of a region after a conflict, a natural disaster or a technological accident with humanitarian implications.
Professional experience: environment, natural sciences (chemistry, physics, forestry and agricultural engineering, agronomy, geology, hydrology, geography), management of a crisis unit in Switzerland
The specialists of the 'Medical' expert group are generally deployed on short-term missions, following a crisis situation or epidemic. Their role is to assess the medical context, care for survivors, distribute health kits and support local hospitals of the affected country. In the event of an epidemic, members of the group work with local authorities to limit the spread of the virus through preventive action.
Professional experience: epidemiology, war surgery, disaster medicine, public health, microbiology, nutrition
The specialists of the 'Rescue' expert group are deployed on rescue missions organised by SDC Humanitarian Aid following a major earthquake. Their role is to assist the survivors and rescue people from the rubble. In addition to emergency response activities, they advise foreign governments on developing disaster response capacities. These specialists are also mobilised to form international search and rescue teams in urban areas (Urban Search and Rescue). To date, Morocco, Jordan, China and Armenia have benefited from SHA Rescue expertise.
Professional experience: Swiss Armed Forces rescue group
The specialists of the 'Security' expert group are deployed to advise SHA teams on security issues relating to an operation. They carry out an analysis of the situation, assess the risks and train the teams accordingly. Group members serve the entire FDFA. They carry out regular overseas missions to SDC cooperation offices and Swiss embassies. The group's specialists work closely with the FDFA's Crisis Management Centre.
Professional experience: police, security (UN, NGOs, private sector, etc.)
The specialists of the 'Information' expert group are specialists in journalism, photography, audiovisual production and communication. They coordinate relations with media representatives on the ground during acute crises and document the activities of SDC Humanitarian Aid. They work closely with FDFA Communication. They may also be called upon to carry out specific communication projects for Humanitarian Aid at head office.
Professional experience: journalism, writing, audiovisual skills, photography, communication
The specialists of the 'Protection' expert group work to protect the rights, security, integrity and dignity of people affected by armed conflict and natural disasters. As a rule they are seconded to UN humanitarian agencies such as the UNHCR. Depending on the agency and context of deployment, SHA specialists may be called on to work in a variety of specific areas: protection of refugees and internally displaced people, sexual and gender-based violence, child protection, the mainstreaming of protection principles in all humanitarian responses, coordination and advocacy.
Professional experience: expertise in the aforementioned areas with field experience (minimum 2 years) at a specialised or mandated UN agency/NGO
